Ask Mr. (Nordic Fest) Answer Person: "Is it OK to rope off property on the boulevard in front of your home?"

Kelly is among the people who have noticed all of the ropes and yellow tape in the boulevards along Water Street in advance of Saturday's Nordic Fest Parade.  He e-mails: "What is the rule/law on staking and roping off areas of the boulevard in front of ones property? I see various spots along Water Street that have been roped off for the parade a week prior. While this seems ridiculous to me, what I question is the legality. Is not the boulevard city right of way? If someone trips on these roped off areas and is injured, who is at fault? Does liability lie with the property owner, the city, or both?"

Mr. (Nordic Fest) Answer Person contacted City Administrator Chad Bird, who says, "The (city) code does provide for property owner use, care and maintenance of the boulevard. The code also provides for property owners to install plantings, decorative fences and other landscaping. In the case mentioned, these are temporary obstructions and the city would see no issues as along as they don't impede traffic or visibility."